Round 7, 1995 - Richmond vs Adelaide

It was perhaps some of the toughest game they'd faced to date, but Richmond continued their miraculous start to the season with a 14-point win over Adelaide, making them 7-0 after Round 7.

It was tight all the way through, with Richmond leading by four points at the end of each of the first, second and third quarters, ultimately coming out 10.12 (72) to 9.4 (58) victors on the MCG.

Stand-in skipper Matthew Knights was enormous in the Tigers victory.

The Tigers must have been getting accustomed to playing in wet conditions, on what was yet another night where the rain tumbled down in great volume.

It was a heated and fiery clash early, with a few questionable attacks on the man and a bit going on off the ball as well (Andrew Jarman didn't endear himself to the Tiger faithful).

The visitors really came to play, so much so that they led by eight points very late in the third, before two quick goals to Richmond snuffed out that lead just on the 3/4 time break.

Richmond solidified their advantage in the fourth quarter, and walked off the field to rapturous applause from its Tiger faithful.

Matthew Knights put in arguably the best Tiger performance of the season so far, picking up a huge 38 disposals, and generally looking a lot cleaner than everyone else on the park with ball in hand, despite the very slippery and difficult conditions. He of course scooped up the three Brownlow votes.

Defenders Jamie Tape and Stuart Wigney were excellent sources of intercept marks and connection for the Tiges, with the latter seemingly lifting to face off against his former side. He did have one moment he'd probably rather forget though, when Crows gun Tony Modra out manoeuvred him to kick one of the goals of the year.

While not as prolific as recent weeks, Matthew Richardson had a wonderful battle with Sean Wellman, and was still able to have some important moments, including a stunning running goal from the half-forward flank in the driving rain.

First choice ruckman Greg Dear missed the match with a knee injury, which gave Justin Charles a great opportunity to show his wares in the ruck. Crows ruckman David Pittman got the better of him, so Richmond moved Brendan Gale more into the ruck position as the game went on who was able to quell Pittman's influence. Gale would finish with 21 disposals and 9 marks, an excellent return on a tough night for the talls.

Tiger tough nut Duncan Kellaway did an absolute blanket job on young Crows star Mark Ricciutou, keeping him to just one kick for the entire game. Ricciutou's frustration boiled over at different stages such was the strength of the lockdown job done by Kellaway, which was a crucial factor in the Tigers victory.

Other interesting tidbits from the game: It was the first AFL game for the season for key position duo Mark Neeld and Paul Bulluss, who each had their moments.

The win set up a huge blockbuster clash against top 4 side and reigning grand finalists Geelong, which would be the biggest test the Tigers had faced yet.

Stats for the game courtesy of AFL Tables

A Fighting Fury player ratings - click here for explanation

Matthew Knights	12
Stuart Wigney	9
Jamie Tape	8
Paul Broderick	8
Brendan Gale	7
Chris Naish	7
Stuart Edwards	6
Matthew Richardson	5
Wayne Campbell	5
Nick Daffy	4
Mark Merenda	4
Michael Gale	3
Justin Charles	3
Duncan Kellaway	2
Chris Bond	2
Scott Turner	2
Stuart Maxfield	2
David Bourke	2
Paul Bulluss	2
Nathan Bower	2
Mark Neeld	1